Album: Winston Riley Quintessential Techniques

Artiste: Various

Genre: Reggae/Dancehall

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

'Quintessential' is the perfect collection of a series of songs that defines a generation. Another release from VP Records' 'Reggae Anthology' series, the two-disc CD is a gem of Jamaican music history.

Comprising 36 songs, the CD reflects four decades of hits (the 1960s, '70s, '80s and '90s) from Jamaican producer Winston Riley. Riley's Techniques Records is one of the only Jamaican labels born out of and named after a group - the Techniques. As such, it is fitting that the compilation starts off with their touching story of love gone wrong in You Don't Care.

Disc 1 continues with classics, such as the chart-topping Double Barrel from Dave and Ansel Collins, before touching on the almost-ska vibe of Johnny Osbourne's Come Back Darling. Other classics, such as Arleen from General Echo, cannot be ignored, and the work of one Jamaica's first big female deejays Sister Nancy is highlighted with Bam Bam, as she declares, "I'm a lady not a man, emcee is ma ambition, mi come to nice up Jamaica."

Disc 2 reflects the sound-clashing and toasting prevalent in the 1980s - 1990s dancehall culture with a slew of songs from the genre, including Dust A Sound Boy, Ring the Alarm and Kill A Sound. Disc 2 enters into an era current dancehall fans might know due to retro parties, such as Good Times, with Buju Banton's Stamina Daddy, as well as Yuh Body Good by Red Dragon. Sanchez' Loneliness brings a touch of romance, as does Love O Love from Pat Kelly.

Without a doubt, 'Winston Riley Quintessential Techniques' is a keepsake album for real music fans and those interested in the history of early Jamaican music.

- Krista Henry

TRACKS

Disc 1:

1) You Don't Care - The Techniques

2) Born to Love You - The Sensations

3) Who You Gonna Run To - The Shades

4) Come Back Darling - Johnny Osbourne

5) Double Barrell - Dave and Ansel Collins

6) I'll Be Waiting - Alton Ellis

7) Satisfaction - Carl Dawkins

8) Ready Or Not - Johnny Osbourne

9) Nothing Is Impossible - The Interns

10) Run For Your Life - Jackie Paris & Ranking Trevor

11) Love Is Not A Gamble - The Techniques

12) Love O Love - Pat Kelly

13) Let Me Remind You - Dennis Brown

14) You Make Your Mistake - Carlton Livingston & Lone Ranger

15) Sister Sue - Madoo & General Echo

16) One Two - Sister Nancy

17) Arleen - General Echo

18) Bam Bam - Sister Nancy

Disc 2:

1) Dust A Sound Boy - Super Beagle

2) Ring the Alarm - Tenor Saw

3) Kill A Sound - Little Kirk

4) Bad Boy - Courtney Melody

5) Terrorist - Admiral Tibet

6) Leave People Business - Admiral Tibet

7) Jah Made Them All - Yani Bolo

8) Hol' A Fresh - Red Dragon

9) Yu Body Good - Red Dragon

10) Bring Yuh Body Come

- Frankie Paul & Buju Bantan

11) Come Back to Me - Anthony Malvo & Tiger

12) Legal Rights - Papa San & Lady G

13) Agony - Red Dragon

14) Stamina Daddy - Buju Banton

15) Crazy Glue - Professor Nuts

16) Hic Up - Gregory Isaacs & Tiger

17) Loneliness - Sanchez

18) Uptown Girl - Conroy Smith